Tobin Bennison
Article Category: 20 Questions
On June 30, the Space Coast Idol benefit series will draw attention to the Central Brevard Humane Society and the Animal Safehouse of Brevard, an amazing non-profit organization devoted to providing temporary safe placement of pets who, like their owners, need to flee from domestic violence situations. While there are shelters for women and children, there are currently no facilities for their pets. Most women with pets will not leave their abusive homes if they cannot bring their furry loved ones... [Read more...]
Tobin Bennison
Article Category: 20 Questions
This month, we interview Gary Kitchens, one of the brains behind Brevard’s Green Team, a Cocoa Beach-based company that helps promote sustainable, “green” business practices. This past February, in conjunction with Club Cars and Solar World, and with the support of the City of Cocoa, Kitchens and BGT were given approval to introduce in June an 8-person solar-powered golf cart to provide free transport and tours of Cocoa Village. It’s an intriguing project, and places Brevard... [Read more...]
Tobin Bennison
Article Category: 20 Questions
Mike Rogers of Grind for Life Pro skateboarder and Cocoa Beach resident Mike Rogers founded Grind For Life, Inc. in 2003 as a way to provide financial assistance for people traveling long distances for cancer treatment. A cancer survivor himself, Mike saw the need for this kind of help firsthand. “My cancer was super rare, so I had to travel from South Florida to New York City for my seventeen-hour surgery and radiation treatments,” he explains. “I had to cash in my retirement... [Read more...]
M. Alberto Rivera
Article Category: 20 Questions
Patrick Smith: The Man Who Helped Define Florida Reflects By M. Alberto Rivera Like so many others, Patrick Smith moved to Florida because of a work offer. He became enamored with the state, and in his efforts to chronicle Florida have become synonymous with defining it. His Florida novels, “Forever Island,” “Allapatah,” and “A Land Remembered,” are poignant and insightful portraits of the state in transition — and not for the better. Smith details the... [Read more...]
M. Alberto Rivera
Article Category: 20 Questions
THE MOLLY ROGERS: PREPARE TO BE BOARDED By M. Alberto Rivera Photos by Tony Licalzi (aka Coitus Interruptus of the roman Empire) and M. Alberto Rivera “I love hitting people! Hitting people is like the best part of roller derby. It’s really good therapy,” offers Molly Rogers roller girl Marri Murder Doll happily. The Molly Rogers are Melbourne’s roller derby team and they are tough as nails. This is a group of women who aren’t shy about being rough on the track and... [Read more...]
M. Alberto Rivera
Article Category: 20 Questions
TWENTY QUESTIONS with: JIM MEYERS, aka GEORGE “THE ANIMAL” STEELE Interview by M. Alberto Rivera You may not recognize him as Jim Myers, the mild-mannered ex-teacher living quietly in Cocoa Beach, but his alter ego, George “The Animal” Steele, can still rattle your cage. Now retired from the unlikely dual career of high school teacher and professional wrestler, Jim Myers has overcome a great many obstacles to be able to reflect calmly on his successes and hardships. While... [Read more...]
Tobin Bennison
Article Category: 20 Questions
Kelly Slater By Tobin Bennison On November 17th, 2010 on a small patch of dirt and grass dividing the north and southbound lanes of A1A in Cocoa Beach, Brevard County received it’s newest landmark. Traffic slowed to a crawl as a large crowd gathered for the unveiling of Tasha Drazich’s masterpiece, a 1,000+ lb. bronze statue of the man himself, Kelly Slater. There were children, local legends, kings and queens, mayors and mothers, and mothers of mayors in attendance, all brimming with pride... [Read more...]
Tobin Bennison
Article Category: 20 Questions
TWENTY QUESTIONS with AL YORK When we first came up with the “Twenty Questions” feature six years ago, we did so with people like Al York in mind. An ordinary beachside resident by most accounts, Al works in a field that is all the more extraordinary for its seeming ordinariness. We’ve known that Al is chief mate on a tug for a long time and have heard a few tales of travels, but never knew the ins and outs of his profession — until recently. Tugs play an important role... [Read more...]
M. Alberto Rivera
Article Category: 20 Questions
TWENTY QUESTIONS with Jennifer Rowlette-Reneau • Interview by M. Alberto Rivera • Jennifer Rowlette-Reneau is used to challenges. She’s not easily flustered or off put by obstacles; overcoming them is something she relishes. She taught herself how to surf and excelled at the sport. Having lost exact count, she knows she has medaled in at least 97 competitions, possibly more. Jennifer surfed competitively on the UCF Surfing Team from 1989 to 1991, The U.S. National Team in 1998, the Eastern... [Read more...]
Tobin Bennison
Article Category: 20 Questions
Brandon Smith of the Sea Turtle Preservation Society Indialantic’s Sea Turtle Preservation Society was formed in the ’80s by a group of citizens concerned about sea turtles and the threats they face. With “Helping Sea Turtles Survive” as their motto, STPS boasts some 600 members, 13 board members, and a team of over 100 active volunteers who are directly involved in the preservation and rescue of sick and injured turtles. “We also help increase scientific knowledge... [Read more...]
